# autumn sage (*Salvia greggii*) Autumn sage is a colorful shrub that blooms with bright flowers in red, pink, or purple. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making gardens lively and fun! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Gregg's Sage ![autumn sage](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Salvia_greggii_Coronado_Pink_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salvia_greggii_Coronado_Pink_2.jpg) ## Appearance The autumn sage has small, oval green leaves and delicate tubular flowers that bloom in vibrant shades of pink, red, purple, orange, or white. Its compact form and bright blossoms make it stand out in sunny landscapes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Lamiaceae - **Genus:** Salvia ## Interesting facts - Ancient peoples used parts of this plant for traditional remedies and flavoring food! - Did you know its flowers can attract tiny hummingbirds from far away? - Even in dry spots, autumn sage blooms brightly, a real garden marvel! - Some varieties of autumn sage actually change their flower color as they mature! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Beacon:** Autumn sage produces bright, tubular flowers to perfectly invite hummingbirds for a sweet treat. - **Thirsty Challenger:** Autumn sage can thrive in dry conditions because its roots help it find and store water. - **All-Season Show:** Autumn sage has a super long blooming time, making its vibrant flowers pop from spring to fall. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-90 cm - **Spread:** 60-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Bird ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Ruby-throated Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby-throated-hummingbird) (*Archilochus colubris*) — drinks nectar from its tubular flowers - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen for its hive - **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — rests on flowers and sips nectar ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before touching or tasting plants. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify autumn sage? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is autumn sage? 60-90 cm ### How wide does autumn sage spread? 60-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on autumn sage? 1-2.5 cm ### When does autumn sage bloom? Spring to Fall ### Is autumn sage edible? Yes ### Is autumn sage toxic? None ### What is autumn sage's lifecycle? Perennial ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Autumn Sage: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/autumn-sage)